Occlusion Catheter for Low Pressure Tumor Embolization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current embolization therapies for tumors, such as transarterial chemoembolization and radioembolization, face challenges with inconsistent efficacy and complications due to non-target embolization, reflux of embolic agents, and variable drug distribution, primarily because standard straight-tip catheters cannot control pressure and flow rates effectively, leading to poor filling and distribution of embolic agents within the tumor.

Innovation Solution

The development of occlusion devices adapted to catheters that create a low pressure zone distal to the occlusion, using balloons or other structures to reduce pressure and flow rate, thereby eliminating reflux and non-target embolization, and enhancing the distribution and deposition of embolic agents within the tumor by redirecting blood flow and controlling the injection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standard straight-tip catheters are used for embolization, then the procedure is simple and easy to perform, but pressure and flow rate cannot be controlled effectively, leading to poor filling and distribution of embolic agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of catheter insertionVSAvoidembolic agent distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent balloons that can be selectively inflated at different positions along the catheter shaft. This segmentation allows precise control of embolic agent delivery to specific tumor regions while maintaining ease of catheter insertion through the vascular system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates inflatable balloons that can be dynamically adjusted during the embolization procedure. By inflating and deflating balloons at different positions, the system can adapt pressure and flow rate control in real-time to optimize embolic agent distribution while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If high pressure is used to deliver embolic agents, then delivery speed increases, but reflux and non-target embolization occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolic agent delivery speedVSAvoidnon-target embolization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inflatable balloons are introduced as intermediary structures between the embolic agent source and the target tumor vasculature. These balloons act as flow regulators that can be inflated to specific pressures to control embolic agent delivery speed while preventing reflux and non-target embolization through their mechanical barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes pressure parameters by inflating and deflating balloons at different positions and times during the embolization procedure. This allows optimization of delivery speed while maintaining control to prevent harmful effects such as reflux and non-target embolization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If embolic agents are injected at high flow rate, then treatment efficiency improves, but reflux of embolic agents occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolization treatment efficiencyVSAvoidembolic agent flow control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent balloons that can be selectively inflated at different positions along the catheter shaft. This segmentation allows precise control of embolic agent delivery to specific tumor regions while maintaining ease of catheter insertion through the vascular system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates inflatable balloons that can be dynamically adjusted during the embolization procedure. By inflating and deflating balloons at different positions, the system can adapt pressure and flow rate control in real-time to optimize embolic agent distribution while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If standard catheters are used without pressure control, then the device complexity is low, but embolic agent distribution is variable and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter structure simplicityVSAvoidembolic agent distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent balloons that can be selectively inflated at different positions along the catheter shaft. This segmentation allows precise control of embolic agent delivery to specific tumor regions while maintaining ease of catheter insertion through the vascular system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates inflatable balloons that can be dynamically adjusted during the embolization procedure. By inflating and deflating balloons at different positions, the system can adapt pressure and flow rate control in real-time to optimize embolic agent distribution while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves the consistency and efficacy of embolization by reducing non-target flow, increasing the amount and distribution of embolic agents within the tumor, and allowing for better control of the embolization process, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced toxicity.

Implementation Method 1

create a low pressure zone distal to the occlusion, using balloons or other structures to reduce pressure and flow rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

reduce pressure and flow rate, thereby eliminating reflux and non-target embolization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate reduction:

Implementation Method 3

enhancing the distribution and deposition of embolic agents within the tumor by redirecting blood flow and controlling the injection process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBlood flow redirection:

Data Source

PatentUS20200297351A1Devices and methods for low pressure tumor embolization

Publication Date: 2020.09.24 EMBOLX INC

AI summary

A method of transarterial embolization agent delivery at a low pressure is provided. The method comprises advancing a delivery device with an occlusion structure in a retracted non-occlusive configuration through a supply artery to a vascular position in the supply artery that is in the vicinity of a target anatomical structure, the target structure having terminal capillary beds, expanding the occlusion structure from the retracted non-occlusive configuration to an expanded occlusive configuration, lowering a mean arterial pressure in a vascular space distal to the expanded occlusion structure, redirecting fluid flow from the collateral vessels toward the lowered pressure vascular space and into the target anatomical structure, injecting an embolization agent through the delivery device and into the lowered pressure vascular space, and delivering the embolization agent from the lowered pressure vascular space into the target anatomical structure. Other catheter assemblies and methods of use are also disclosed.